INA, Ill. (Nov. 13, 2013) – Sophomore Cortez Macklin became the first National Champion Warrior to sign a national letter of intent Wednesday afternoon at Rend Lake College. The All-American basketball player committed to Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) for the fall of 2014.

The 6-foot-3 inch, 175 pound shooting guard is a native to Louisville, Ky., citing the closer proximity to home as one of the reasons he chose to play for the Jaguars.

“I wanted to go to that school. It’s close to home and it seems like it’ll be a good fit,” said Macklin.

Sophomore Warrior Cortez Macklin (Louisville, Ky.), CENTER, signs a national letter of intent Wednesday afternoon to play basketball for the Indianapolis University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) Jaguars next fall. Also pictured is Rend Lake College Athletic Director Tim Wills, LEFT, and RLC Men's Basketball Head Coach Randy House, RIGHT. Click on the image for a larger view. (ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

Last year, Macklin was named to the Division II Second-Team All-American. He was the team’s leading scorer at 13.1 points per game, which helped lead the Warriors to a 30-win season, the program's first national championship, the 2013 Great Rivers Athletic Conference Championship (14-2) and the NJCAA DII Region XXIV Championship.

He finished the season with 379 points and averages of 43.9 percent from the field, 32.5 percent from three-point range, and 66.9 percent from the free-throw line. He also averaged 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. His season high of 28 points came in RLC's first game of the year against Southern Institute, with a close second of 27 against Wabash Valley College. Additionally, he led the Warriors with 19 points in its 87-69 national championship win over Moraine Valley Community College on March 23.

As for this season with the Warriors, Macklin said he’s focusing on growing with the team and working together to get back to Nationals.

“We’re going to continue to grow and work hard. We’re going to get where we can,” he said.

The undecided major previously played for the Pleasure Ridge Park High School Panthers in Louisville, Ky., where he averaged 13.4 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game.

Warriors Head Coach Randy House and Athletic Director Tim Wills were present for the signing. House recruited Macklin in the spring of 2012.